Unlocking a body area network

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus, system, and method to unlock a body area network (BAN) of a patient and to transmit medical data about the patient. The BAN, under the control of a body area controller (BAC), may be unlocked based upon a pre-defined patient action performed by the patient and the BAN may then be connected to a wireless device. The BAN medical data of the patient may then be transmitted by the wireless device.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus, system, andmethod to unlock a body area network (BAN).

2. Relevant Background

In today's high technology health care environment, systems containingbody sensor units (BSUs) are currently utilized for collecting andtransmitting physiological data (e.g., vital signs such as bloodpressure, pulse rate, etc.), which reflect the health status of apatient. Such systems are commonly referred to as body area networks(BANs). If wireless communication is employed in the system, it may bereferred to as a wireless body area network (WBAN). WBANs have been usedto wirelessly monitor the health of patients who need frequentmonitoring.

Although BANs have become very useful in health care in monitoring thehealth status of patients, security issues involving access to BANs havenot been adequately addressed. One primary concern is how to bestcontrol access to a patient's medical data from a patient's BAN,especially in an emergency situation. Based upon present health caresecurity implementations, either there is very little security, causingprivacy to be at risk, or, too many security implementations areinvolved, risking patient safety.

Therefore, as BANs become more prevalent, techniques are needed foremergency workers, as well as other health care professionals, to gainaccess to the medical information from BANs, as quickly as possible,especially in emergency situations. However, at the same time, greatsecurity concerns are present if every emergency worker (or other healthcare professional) always has available access to every BAN in whichcase BAN systems are very insecure. Therefore, techniques are needed forproper security in unlocking BANs, so that BAN medical data can beproperly utilized by emergency workers and other health careprofessionals, while still maintaining security for patients.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method of unlocking a body area network (BAN) of apatient to transmit medical data is disclosed. The method comprisesunlocking the BAN based upon a pre-defined patient action performed bythe patient and connecting the BAN to a wireless device. Further, themethod comprises transmitting BAN medical data of the patient by thewireless device.

In one aspect, a body area controller (BAC) is disclosed. The BAC maycomprise a transceiver and a processor. The processor may unlock a bodyarea network (BAN) based upon a pre-defined patient action performed bya patient and may connect the BAN to a wireless device through thetransceiver such that the wireless device is configured to transmit theBAN medical data of the patient.

In one aspect, a body area controller (BAC) is disclosed. The BAC maycomprise: means for unlocking a body area network (BAN) based upon apre-defined patient action performed by a patient; and means forconnecting the BAN to a wireless device such that the wireless device isconfigured to transmit the BAN medical data of the patient.

In one aspect, a computer program product is disclosed that comprises acomputer-readable medium including code for: unlocking a body areanetwork (BAN) based upon a pre-defined patient action performed by apatient; and connecting the BAN to a wireless device such that thewireless device is configured to transmit the BAN medical data of thepatient.

In one aspect, a method of unlocking a body area network (BAN) of apatient is disclosed. The method comprises unlocking the BAN based upona pre-defined patient action performed by the patient and connecting theBAN to a wireless device. Further, the method comprises processinginformation from the BAN using the wireless device.

In one aspect, a method of unlocking a body area network (BAN) of apatient to transmit medical data is disclosed. The method comprisesdetermining if a pre-defined body change of the patient has occurredand/or the patient is incapable of performing a pre-defined patientaction and unlocking the BAN automatically. Further, the methodcomprises connecting the BAN to a wireless device and transmitting BANmedical data of the patient by the wireless device.

In one aspect, a body area controller (BAC) comprising a transceiver andprocessor is disclosed. The processer determines if a pre-defined bodychange of the patient has occurred and/or the patient is incapable ofperforming a pre-defined patient action and unlocks a body area network(BAN). Further, the processor connects the BAN to a wireless devicethrough the transceiver such that the wireless device is configured totransmit the BAN medical data of the patient.

In one aspect a body area controller (BAC) is disclosed that comprises:means for determining if a pre-defined body change of a patient hasoccurred and/or the patient is incapable of performing a pre-definedpatient action and means for unlocking a body area network (BAN).Further, the BAC comprises means for connecting the BAN to a wirelessdevice such that the wireless device is configured to transmit the BANmedical data of the patient.

In one aspect, a computer program product is disclosed that comprises acomputer-readable medium including code for: determining if apre-defined body change of a patient has occurred and/or the patient isincapable of performing a pre-defined patient action; unlocking a bodyarea network (BAN); and connecting the BAN to a wireless device suchthat the wireless device is configured to transmit the BAN medical dataof the patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a BAN system that may be unlocked andconnected to a wireless device.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a BAC of the BAN system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating examples of pre-defined patient actionsthat may be used to unlock the BAN system.

FIG. 3A is a flow diagram that illustrates a process to unlock the BANsystem.

FIG. 3B is a flow diagram that illustrates another process to unlock theBAN system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a patient or helper utilizing theirwireless device to transmit BAN medical data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the use of a wireless device by anemergency responder.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the use of a wireless device by amedical support person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as an “example”is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother aspects or embodiments.

According to aspects of the invention, a system, method, and apparatusare described in which a body area network (BAN) may be unlocked if apatient is capable of performing a pre-defined patient action (i.e., thepatient is conscious) such that the BAN may be unlocked by the patientimplementing the pre-defined patient action. An example of this may be apatient pressing against a specific part of the body for apre-determined period of time or the patient making a specificpre-designated body movement (e.g., touching the backs of the handstogether). The actions should be specific enough to ensure that the BANdoes not unlock through casual contact and that the patient is awarethat they are performing the patient action. However, if the patient isunable to perform the pre-defined patient action (e.g., the patient isunconscious) then the consent to unlock the BAN may be implied (e.g., aswith consent for first aid to an emergency worker). Further, if the BANdetects severe body problems (e.g. major heart abnormalities), the BANmay unlock itself on its own accord.

As wireless and mobile devices (e.g., cell phones) are increasinglyprevalent, they may be utilized in conjunction with the BAN. Forexample, a patient's wireless or mobile device (or that of a helpfulbystander) may start sending the BAN's medical data to an emergencyservice (e.g., via x911) when the BAN is unlocked such that theemergency service may send an emergency responder to the patient.Further, this may allow emergency responders (e.g., paramedics) toaccess the patients' BAN medical data and other health and identity dataand prepare while en-route to the patient saving valuable time and thiscan help medical responders once they arrive. Further, medical advicecan be given to the patient and/or helpers while the medical respondersare en-route to them.

Aspects of the invention relate to a system, method, and apparatus ofunlocking a BAN of a patient to transmit medical data. With reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B, a BAN system 100 is shown that may be unlocked duringan emergency situation to transmit medical data about a patient 102while still ensuring security of the medical data for the patient. BAN100 may include one or more body sensor units (BSUs) 104 coupled to abody area controller (BAC) 110 of the patient 102. BAC 110 may furtherbe wirelessly connected via a link 112 to a wireless or mobile device114 to transmit BAN medical data about the patient to the wireless ormobile device 114.

As an example, BSUs 104 may include: a glucose monitor 120; a visionmonitor 122; an electroencephalography (EEG) monitor 124; a hearingmonitor 126; an electrocardiography (ECG) monitor 128; a blood pressuremonitor 130; a toxins monitor 132; and implant modules 134. It should beappreciated by those of skill in the art that these are just examples ofBSUs that may be utilized in a BAN 100 and that a wide variety ofdiffering types of BSUs may be utilized. Further, as will be describedin more detail later, BAN 100 may include sensors 140 that can be usedby a patient to unlock the BAN 100 based upon a pre-defined patientaction performed by the patient 102.

As shown in FIG. 1B, BAC 110 may include a processor 150 coupled to atransceiver 152 and a memory 154. Memory 154 may include programs,instructions, functions, or routines for execution by processor 150, aswill be described herein. In one aspect, processor 150 may receivemedical data/information through an interface 160 from the various BSUs104 and signals about patient actions from sensors 140 through interface162. BAC 110 may unlock BAN 100 of a patient 102 to transmit medicaldata about the patient from the BSUs 104 and/or sensors 140 throughtransceiver 152 and via link 112 to wireless or mobile device 114 basedupon a pre-defined patient action implemented or performed by thepatient 102.

For example, processor 150 may unlock BAN 100 based upon a pre-definedpatient action performed by the patient 102 and sensed by sensors 140and may then connect BAN 100 through link 112 to wireless or mobiledevice 114. As an example, processor 150 may command transceiver 152 totransmit BAN medical data associated with the patient 102 via link 112to wireless or mobile device 114. Link 112 may be a local area network(LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN) link, or any short rangenetwork link. As examples, link 112 may be a WiFi link, a Near FieldCommunication link, a BLUETOOTH link, USB link, or any type of suitablelocal area or short range link. Further, wireless or mobile device 114of the patient (or the wireless or mobile device of another user (e.g.,helpful bystander, emergency responder, etc.)) may transmit the BANmedical data through a wireless or wired link 115 to an emergencyservice, as will be described in more detail. Further, it should beappreciated that device 114 may be any type of computing device whichmay communicate via wired or wireless links.

Examples of pre-defined patient actions will be hereinafter discussed.For example, a pre-defined patient action to unlock BAN 100 may includea patient 102 pressing against a pre-designated part of the body thatincludes a sensor 140. With brief additional reference to FIG. 2, someexamples of pre-defined patient actions will be described. As oneexample, a patient 102 may press their hands 215 against the back oftheir head 220 for a pre-determined amount of time. The patient 102 mayhave internal or external sensors 140 (not shown) associated with theirhead 220 and hands 215 that will sense one another, and after apre-determined amount of time, will transmit a signal to BAC 110 tounlock BAN 100.

As another example, a pre-defined patient action to unlock the BAN 100may include a pre-designated body movement. For example, a patient 102may touch the back of their hands 215 together three times to unlock BAN100. As yet another example, the patient 102 may touch their hand 215 tothe back of their shoulder 225 two times. The patient 102 may haveinternal or external sensors 140 (not shown) associated with their hands215 and back 225 that will sense one another and will transmit a signalto BAC 110 to unlock BAN 100.

It should be appreciated that there are a wide variety of differenttypes of patient actions that may be pre-defined and that may be sensedby sensors 140 as far as time and frequency to unlock the BAN 100. Inparticular, signals from sensors 140 may be transmitted and received byprocessor 150 of BAC 110, and if they match pre-defined criteria,processor 150 may unlock BAN 100 and connect BAN 100 to wireless ormobile device 114 via link 112.

It should be appreciated that pressing against a pre-designated part ofthe body or a pre-designated body movement related to touching hands 215together, touching the back of the head 220, or touching the shoulder225, are merely examples of a wide variety of different types oftechniques for touching different body part and movements that may beutilized. A wide variety of different body parts, movements, and sensorsmay be utilized. However, the techniques should be specific enough toensure that the BAN 100 does not unlock due to casual contact and alsothat the patient is aware that they are unlocking their BAN.

As to sensors 140, a wide variety of different types of internal orexternal sensors may be utilized at different parts of the patient'sbody. Examples were provided as to a patient's hands 215, a patient'shead 220, patient's shoulder 220, however, as should be appreciated, anysuitable part of the body may be utilized. Further, any suitable type ofinternal or external sensor 140 may utilized. Examples of sensors 140may include motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers), pressure sensors,force sensors, sound sensors, vibration sensors, magnetic sensors,proximity sensors, optical sensors, electrical sensors, light sensors,laser sensors, image sensors, conductive sensors, radio sensors,position sensors, angle sensors, displacement sensors, distance sensors,speed sensors, heat sensors, temperature sensors, etc., or any type ofsensor that may be utilized to identify a pre-defined patient actionsuch as pressing against a pre-designated part of the body oridentifying a pre-designated body movement.

In particular, if processor 150 of BAC 110 identifies a pre-definedpatient action from a sensor 140 such as a patient pressing against apre-designated part of the body or a pre-designated body movement,processor 150 will unlock BAN 100 such that BAN medical data istransmitted via link 112 to wireless or mobile device 114. Wireless ormobile device 114 may then transmit the BAN medical data via link 115 toanother entity such as an appropriate emergency service. Althoughwireless or mobile device 114 may transmit the BAN medical data via link115 to an appropriate emergency service, it may also transmit the BANmedical data to other entities, as will be described.

Additionally, in one aspect, if a patient 102 is incapable of performinga pre-defined action then BAN 100 may be automatically unlocked. Forexample, if the patient 102 is unconscious or severely injured, anappropriate BSU 104 may transmit appropriate data to processor 150 ofBAC 110 such that processor 150 unlocks the BAN 100 and transmits theBAN medical data via link 112 to a wireless or mobile device 114, atwhich point, the wireless or mobile device 114 may transmit the BANmedical data via link 115 to another entity such as an appropriateemergence service. As a particular example, processor 150 mayautomatically unlock the BAN 100 based upon a pre-defined body change ofthe patient 102 identified by one of the BSUs 104. For example, ECGsensor 128 may detect a major heart abnormality, blood pressure sensor130 may detect a severe decrease or increase in blood pressure, toxinsensor 132 may detect a huge amount of toxins. All of these are examplesof a pre-defined body change of a patient that may be detected by a BSU104 and a corresponding signal from the BSU 104 may be transmitted viaI/F 160 to BAC 110, which under control of processor 150, may unlock theBAN 100, transmit the patient's BAN medical data to wireless or mobiledevice 114 via link 112, and wireless or mobile device 114 may transmitthe patient's BAN medical data to an appropriate emergency service vialink 115. It should be appreciated that any type of medical conditionthat renders a patient unconscious, incapacitated, or severely injuredmay be detected by an appropriate BSU 104 and the BAN 100 automaticallyunlocked for the patient 102.

As previously described, according to one aspect, after processor 150 ofBAC 110 unlocks the BAN 100, the medical data from the BAN 100 may betransmitted through transceiver 152 via link 112 to wireless or mobiledevice 114 and the wireless or mobile device 114 may transmit the BANmedical data via wireless link 115 (e.g., a cellular network) to anemergency service. For example, the wireless or mobile device 114 maytransmit their BAN medical data through an appropriate emergency call(e.g., x911) to an appropriate emergency service to request medicalassistance (e.g., an ambulance, paramedic, fire department, policeresponse, etc.).

With brief reference to FIG. 3A, a flow diagram illustrates a process301 that may be executed by BAN 100. At block 303, BAN 100 is unlockedbased upon a pre-defined patient action performed by the patient 102.For example, a patient may press against a pre-designated part of thebody or perform a pre-designated body movement as previously describedwith reference to FIG. 2. Next, at block 305, the BAN 100 is connected awireless device. For example, as previously described with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B, processor 150 of BAC 110 may unlock BAN 100 such thatthe BAN medical data of the patient is transmitted from transceiver 152via link 112 to the wireless or mobile device 114. Further, at block307, the BAN medical data of the patient is transmitted by the wirelessdevice. As an example, as previously described, wireless or mobiledevice 114 may then transmit the BAN medical data via link 115 toanother entity such as an appropriate emergency service.

With brief reference to FIG. 3B, a flow diagram illustrates process 300that may be performed or executed by BAN 100. At decision block 304,based upon data received from BSUs 104, processor 150 of BAC 110 maydetermine if the patient is conscious. If not, BAN 100 is unlocked(block 306) and the process 300 moves to block 314, as will behereinafter described. If the patient is conscious, then BAC 110requires a pre-defined patient action (block 310) to unlock BAN 100,such as pressing against a pre-designated part of the body or apre-designated body movement (as previously described), then BAN 100 isunlocked (block 312). BAC 110 may then connect BAN 100 to wireless ormobile device 114 via link 112 (block 314) and transmits the patient'sBAN medical data to the wireless or mobile device 114 (block 316). Next,another entity such as an emergency service may receive the BAN medicaldata about the patient via link 115 from a transmission by the wirelessor mobile device 114 (block 320). It should be appreciated that wirelessor mobile device 114 may be a patient's wireless device, a helper'swireless device, or an emergency responder's wireless device. Further,it should be appreciated that device 114 may be any type of computingdevice which may communicate via wired or wireless links.

As an example, the patient's wireless or mobile device 114 may startsending BAN medical data to an emergency service (e.g., via a x911 call)when the BAN 100 is unlocked. This may alert the emergency service ofthe patient's medical emergency and medical condition and allowemergency responders (e.g., paramedics) to access the patient's BANmedical data and identify data while en-route to the patient savingvaluable time and aiding the medical responders once they arrive.Further, the emergency service can provide medical advice to the patientor a helper through the wireless or mobile device as to how to bestrespond to their current medical condition.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrating a patient or helperutilizing their wireless or mobile device 114 to transmit BAN medicaldata is shown. As previously described, a patient 102 may unlock theirBAN 100 by a pre-defined patient action, such as pressing against apre-designated part of the body or a pre-designated body movement. Also,BAN 100 may also be unlocked if the patient is unconscious and incapableof performing a pre-defined patient action (e.g., unconscious) or if apre-defined body change of the patient occurs as identified by one ofBSUs 104 (e.g., low blood pressure, low heart rate, etc.).

In particular, when one or more of these unlocking features oractivities occur, as identified by processor 150 of BAC 110, processor150 through transceiver 152 transmits the BAN medical data via link 112to wireless or mobile device 114. Wireless or mobile device 114 may bethe wireless or mobile device of the patient, a helper, or any otheruser. Based upon the receipt of the BAN medical data via link 112,wireless or mobile device 114 under the control of processor 402 mayrecognize the BAN medical data and may command transceiver 406 totransmit the BAN medical data via a link 115 to another entity such asan emergency service 410. Memory 404 may include programs, instructions,functions, or routines for execution by processor 402. It should beappreciated that wireless or mobile device 114 may be a cell phone,tablet, smart phone, laptop computer, PDA, or any sort of computingdevice with wireless or wired connectivity. Also, common features of awireless or mobile device, such as, user interfaces, display devices,etc., have not been described herein for brevity's sake, but areapparent to those of skill in the art.

As one example, wireless or mobile device 114 may include an applicationprogram, that, upon receipt of the BAN medical data from the BAC 110 ofthe BAN 100 via link 112, may provide an emergency response option, suchthat if a patient or helper selects the emergency response option (e.g.,pushing a button on the user interface such as through a keypad or onthe display device), wireless or mobile device 114 under the control ofprocessor 402 transmits the BAN medical data and patient informationthrough the transceiver 406 via wired or wireless link 115 to anemergency service 410. As an example, this may be similar to a x911call. In one aspect, the x911 call may pre-programmed into the wirelessor mobile device 114 as part of the application program. As anotherexample, the wireless or mobile device 114 may simply transmit the BANmedical data and patient information via link 115 to emergency service410 upon receipt of the BAN medical data automatically without a userselecting the emergency response option.

Emergency service 410 may be a government or private emergency service(e.g., a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) reachable via a x911 callor another suitable call) that controls: ambulance service, medicalservice, police service, fire department service, etc. The emergencyservice 410 may further be connected through the Internet 415 and apublic switched telephone network (PSTN) 420 to other entities, datasources, etc. Emergency service 410 may instruct an emergency responder(e.g., an ambulance, paramedic, fire engine, police, etc.) to go thepatient 102 and provide medical assistance. Further, the emergencyservice 410 may provide the emergency responder with the patient's BANmedical data, position information, as well as additional medical dataabout the patient. This allows the emergency responder to access thepatient's health and identity data while en-route to the patient, savingvaluable time, and may help the medical responder once they arrive.Additionally, the emergency service 410 may transmit medical advice tothe wireless or mobile device 114 of patient/helper to help thepatient/helper to deal with the medical emergency while they await theemergency responder. Further, it should be appreciated that device 114may be any type of computing device which may communicate via wired orwireless links.

With additional reference to FIG. 5, once the emergency service 410 hasbeen contacted, and the emergency responder has been sent en-route tothe patient 102, the emergency responder's device 501, such as awireless device or a mobile device, may include a processor 502, memory504, and transceiver 506, may receive via link 115 from the emergencyservice 410, the patient's BAN medical data, position information, aswell as additional medical data about the patient. This allows theemergency responder to access the patients' health and identity datawhile en-route to the patient, saving valuable time, and may help themedical responder once they arrive. Additional medical information aboutthe patient may be provided to the wireless or mobile device 501 of themedical responder via wireless or wired link 115 that the emergencyservice 410 acquires through the Internet 415 or other networks fromhospital, doctors, medical networks, etc., that relate to the medicalhistory of the patient 102. It should be appreciated that device 501 maybe any type of computing device with or without wireless capabilities,and in one embodiment, may be a medical device.

Further, once the emergency responder arrives to patient 102, the BANmedical data of the patient 102 may be transmitted via link 112 directlyto the wireless or mobile device 501 of the emergency responder suchthat the processor 502 can process the BAN medical data informationabout the patient and can display the BAN medical information to theemergency responder. It should be appreciated that wireless or mobiledevice 501 of the emergency responder may also be a medical device thatutilizes the BAN medical information for medical device functions. Thewireless or mobile device 501 of the emergency responder may transmitthe BAN medical data of the patient to a medical data server 612 (seeFIG. 6) of a hospital, a medical service provider (e.g., a doctor), or amedical network. For example, the medical data sever 612 may be a serverof a nearby hospital or a medical network that has medical data andother information (e.g., identity information, contact information,etc.) about the patient 102. Additionally, the wireless or mobile device501 of the emergency responder may further receive medical data and/orinstructions about how to best medically treat the patient from themedical data server 612.

With reference to FIG. 6, according to yet another aspect, the BAN 100of a patient 102 may be connected to a device 601 of medical supportpersonnel (e.g., a nurse at a hospital, a doctor at a doctor's office,etc.). The device 601 may be a wireless, mobile, or wired device and mayinclude a processor 602, memory 604, and a transceiver 606. For example,the device 601 may be a cell phone, laptop, tablet, personal computer,personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., or may be a medical device withor without wireless capabilities. It should be appreciated that device601 may be any type of device with or without wireless capabilities, andin one embodiment, may be a medical device. As previously described, thepatient 102 may unlock the BAN 110 based upon a pre-defined patientaction such as pressing against a pre-designated part of the body or apre-designated body movement. The device 601 may receive the patient'sBAN medical data via link 112 through transceiver 606 and throughtransceiver 606 may transmit the patient's BAN medical data through alink 610 to a medical data server 612 associated with the hospital, thedoctor's office, or a medical network associated with the patient. Thedevice 601 of the medical support personnel may further receive medicaldata via link 610 from the medical data server 612. In this way, themedical support personnel utilizing a device 601 may receive medicaldata and other information (e.g., identity information, contactinformation, etc.) about the patient. Further, in the example in whichthe device 601 is a wireless medical device, the BAN medical data of thepatient may 102 be inputted into the wireless medical device.

As an example, a nurse at a hospital utilizing a medical device 601 mayreceive BAN medical data via link 112 from the BAC 110 of a patient suchthat medical device 601 under the control of processor 602 may utilizethe BAN medical data for monitoring functions, such as: monitoring bloodpressure, monitoring heart rate, etc. Further, medical device 601 maytransmit via transceiver 606, through link 610, the BAN medical dataabout the patient to the medical data server 612 at the hospital and themedical device 601 may further receive medical data about the patientfrom the medical data server 612. It should be appreciated, that theselinks for the medical device may be wired or wireless. As anotherexample, a patient may visit a doctor at the doctor's office, unlocktheir BAN 100 based upon a pre-defined patient action, and the BANmedical data via link 112 may provide to the doctor's device 601 (e.g.,a laptop) access to the patient's current BAN medical data as measuredby the BSUs 104, a log of past medical data measured by the BAN 100, aswell as other information about the patient, such that the doctor cananalyze the patient's health.

As to security features for doctor, hospital, etc., the patient 102 maystill unlock their BAN 100 based upon a pre-defined patient action or apre-designated body movement, as previously described, to ensuresecurity. Additionally, after this secure opening, the doctors, nurses,etc. may utilize a new shared key or a previously utilized shared keywith the BAN 100 of the patient. In some aspects, a key may be displayedon the BCU. Further, access to the BAN 100 may be based on the link 112and may be limited by location and proximity to device 601. The patientcan also re-lock their BAN 100 at any time. Different levels of accessmay also be provided such as: single person access (e.g., only to adoctor), group access or multiple person access (e.g., to visitingnurses in proximity), or completely open access to anyone in proximity.Additionally, different types of access to the BAN may be provided, suchas: read/write access (e.g., only doctors) or read access only (e.g., tonurses), etc. It should be appreciated that a wide variety of differenttypes of access may be employed.

Thus, a system, method, and apparatus are described in which a BAN 100may be unlocked if a patient 102 is capable of performing a pre-definedpatient action (i.e., the patient is conscious). An example of this maybe a patient 102 pressing against a specific part of the body for apre-determined period of time or the patient 102 making a specificpre-designated body movement (e.g., touching the backs of the handstogether). However, if the patient 102 is unable to perform thepre-defined patient action (e.g., the patient is unconscious or hassevere body problems as measured by the BSUs 104) then the consent tounlock the BAN 100 may be implied and the BAN 100 may automaticallyunlock itself. Further, because wireless or mobile devices (e.g., cellphones) are increasingly prevalent, they may be utilized in conjunctionwith the BAN 100. For example, a patient's wireless or mobile device (orthat of a helpful bystander) may start sending the BAN's medical data toan emergency service (e.g., via x911) when the BAN 100 is unlocked andthe emergency service may send an emergency responder to the patient102. Further, this may allow emergency responders (e.g., paramedics) toaccess the patient's BAN medical data and other health and identity dataand prepare while en-route to the patient saving valuable time and thiscan help medical responders once they arrive. Moreover, medical advicecan be given to the patient and/or helpers while the medical respondersare en-route to them.

It should be appreciated that embodiments of the invention previouslydescribed may be performed in conjunction with the execution ofinstructions by processors (e.g., processors of the BAC 110, thepatient/helper's wireless or mobile device 114, the emergencyresponder's wireless or mobile device 501, the doctor/hospital's device601, etc.), and/or other circuitry and/or other devices. Particularly,this circuitry, including but not limited to processors, may operateunder the control of a program, routine, or the execution ofinstructions to execute methods or processes in accordance withembodiments of the invention. For example, such a program may beexecuted in firmware or software (e.g. stored in memory and/or otherlocations) and may be executed by processors and/or other circuitry.Further, it should be appreciated that the terms processor,microprocessor, circuitry, controller, etc., refer to any type of logicor circuitry capable of executing logic, commands, instructions,software, firmware, functionality, etc.

Further, the BAC 110, the patient/helper's wireless or mobile device114, the emergency responder's wireless or mobile device 501, thedoctor/hospital's device 601, emergency service 415, medical data server612, etc., may communicate via one or more wireless communication links(e.g., links 112, 115, 610, etc.) that are based on or otherwise supportany suitable wireless communication technology or may communicate viawired communication links. For example, in some aspects the wireless ormobile devices may associate with a network. In some aspects the networkmay comprise a body area network or a personal area network (e.g., anultra-wideband network). In some aspects the network may comprise alocal area network or a wide area network. A wireless or mobile devicemay support or otherwise use one or more of a variety of wirelesscommunication technologies, protocols, or standards such as, forexample, GSM, CDMA, TDMA, OFDM, OFDMA, WiMAX, and Wi-Fi. Similarly, awireless or mobile device may support or otherwise use one or more of avariety of corresponding modulation or multiplexing schemes. A wirelessor mobile device may thus include appropriate components (e.g., airinterfaces) to establish and communicate via one or more wirelesscommunication links using the above or other wireless communicationtechnologies. For example, a device may comprise a wireless transceiverwith associated transmitter and receiver components (e.g., a transmitterand a receiver) that may include various components (e.g., signalgenerators and signal processors) that facilitate communication over awireless medium. As is well known, a wireless or mobile device maytherefore wirelessly communicate with other mobile devices, cell phones,other wired and wireless computers, Internet web-sites, etc.

The teachings herein may be incorporated into (e.g., executed within orperformed by) a variety of apparatuses (e.g., devices). For example, oneor more aspects taught herein may be incorporated into a phone (e.g., acellular phone), a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a personaldata assistant (“PDA”), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or videodevice), a headset (e.g., headphones, an earpiece, etc.), a microphone,a medical device (e.g., a biometric sensor, a heart rate monitor, apedometer, an EKG device, etc.), a computer, a server, a point-of-saledevice, a hearing aid, a set-top box, or any other suitable device.

In some aspects a wireless or mobile device may comprise an accessdevice (e.g., a Wi-Fi access point) for a communication system. Such anaccess device (also referred to as a base station) may provide, forexample, connectivity to another network (e.g., a wide area network suchas the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wirelesscommunication link. Accordingly, the access device may enable anotherdevice (e.g., a Wi-Fi station) to access the other network or some otherfunctionality. In addition, it should be appreciated that one or both ofthe devices may be portable or, in some cases, relatively non-portable.

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be performed aselectronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Toclearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software,various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and stepshave been described above generally in terms of their functionality.Whether such functionality is performed as hardware or software dependsupon the particular application and design constraints imposed on theoverall system. Skilled artisans may implement the describedfunctionality in varying ways for each particular application, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present invention.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be executed orperformed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method, process, routine, or algorithm described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodieddirectly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, orin a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory,flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, harddisk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage mediumknown in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to theprocessor such the processor can read information from, and writeinformation to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storagemedium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storagemedium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. Inthe alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside asdiscrete components in a user terminal.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may beperformed in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If performed in software as a computer program product, the functionsmay be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or codeon a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes bothcomputer storage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed bya computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a web site,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of unlocking a body area network (BAN)of a patient to transmit medical data comprising: unlocking the BANbased upon a pre-defined patient action performed by the patient,wherein the pre-defined patient action to unlock the BAN includespressing against a pre-designated part of the body; connecting the BANto a wireless device; and transmitting BAN medical data of the patientby the wireless device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the BANincludes a body area controller (BAC) and one or more body sensor units(BSUs).
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the BAN is connected to awireless device of the patient and the wireless device of the patienttransmits the BAN medical data of the patient to an emergency service.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the BAN is connected to a wirelessdevice of a helper and the wireless device of the helper transmits theBAN medical data of the patient to an emergency service.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the BAN is connected to a wireless device of anemergency responder and the wireless device of the emergency respondertransmits the BAN medical data of the patient to a medical data server.6. The method of claim 5, wherein the wireless device of the emergencyresponder further receives medical data about the patient from themedical data server.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the BAN isconnected to a wireless device of a medical support personnel and thewireless device of the medical support personnel transmits the BANmedical data of the patient to a medical data server.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the wireless device of the medical support personnelfurther receives medical data about the patient from the medical dataserver.
 9. A body area controller (BAC) comprising: a transceiver; and aprocessor coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to:unlock a body area network (BAN) based upon a pre-defined patient actionperformed by a patient, wherein the pre-defined patient action to unlockthe BAN includes pressing against a pre-designated part of the body; andconnect the BAN to a wireless device through the transceiver such thatthe wireless device is configured to transmit BAN medical data of thepatient.
 10. The BAC of claim 9, wherein, the BAN includes one or morebody sensor units (BSUs).
 11. The BAC of claim 9, wherein the wirelessdevice is associated with the patient and the wireless device of thepatient transmits the BAN medical data to an emergency service.
 12. TheBAC of claim 9, wherein the wireless device is associated with a helperand the wireless device of the helper transmits the BAN medical data ofthe patient to an emergency service.
 13. The BAC of claim 9, wherein thewireless device is associated with an emergency responder and thewireless device of the emergency responder transmits the BAN medicaldata of the patient to a medical data server.
 14. The BAC of claim 13,wherein the wireless device of the emergency responder further receivesmedical data about the patient from the medical data server.
 15. The BACof claim 9, wherein the wireless device is associated with a medicalsupport personnel and the wireless device of the medical supportpersonnel transmits the BAN medical data of the patient to a medicaldata server.
 16. A body area controller (BAC) comprising: means forunlocking a body area network (BAN) based upon a pre-defined patientaction performed by a patient, wherein the pre-defined patient action tounlock the BAN includes pressing against a pre-designated part of thebody; and means for connecting the BAN to a wireless device such thatthe wireless device is configured to transmit the BAN medical data ofthe patient.
 17. The BAC of claim 16, wherein the wireless device isassociated with the patient and the wireless device of the patienttransmits the BAN medical data to an emergency service.
 18. The BAC ofclaim 16, wherein the wireless device is associated with a helper andthe wireless device of the helper transmits the BAN medical data of thepatient to an emergency service.
 19. The BAC of claim 16, wherein thewireless device is associated with an emergency responder and thewireless device of the emergency responder transmits the BAN medicaldata of the patient to a medical data server.
 20. The BAC of claim 19,wherein the wireless device of the emergency responder further receivesmedical data about the patient from the medical data server.
 21. Acomputer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer-readablemedium comprising code for: unlocking a body area network (BAN) basedupon a pre-defined patient action performed by a patient, wherein thepre-defined patient action to unlock the BAN includes pressing against apre-designated part of the body; and connecting the BAN to a wirelessdevice such that the wireless device is configured to transmit BANmedical data of the patient.
 22. The computer program product of claim21, wherein the wireless device is associated with the patient and thewireless device of the patient transmits the BAN medical data to anemergency service.
 23. The computer program product of claim 21, whereinthe wireless device is associated with a helper and the wireless deviceof the helper transmits the BAN medical data of the patient to anemergency service.
 24. The computer program product of claim 21, whereinthe wireless device is associated with an emergency responder and thewireless device of the emergency responder transmits the BAN medicaldata of the patient to a medical data server.
 25. The computer programproduct of claim 21, wherein the wireless device of the emergencyresponder further receives medical data about the patient from themedical data server.
 26. A method of unlocking a body area network (BAN)of a patient comprising: unlocking the BAN based upon a pre-definedpatient action performed by the patient, wherein the pre-defined patientaction to unlock the BAN includes pressing against a pre-designated partof the body; connecting the BAN to a wireless device; and processinginformation from the BAN using the wireless device.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, further comprising, transmitting BAN medical data of thepatient by the wireless device.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein theBAN is connected to a wireless device of the patient and the wirelessdevice of the patient transmits the BAN medical data of the patient toan emergency service.
 29. The method of claim 27, wherein the BAN isconnected to a wireless device of a helper and the wireless device ofthe helper transmits the BAN medical data of the patient to an emergencyservice.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein the BAN is connected to awireless device of an emergency responder and the wireless device of theemergency responder transmits the BAN medical data of the patient to amedical data server.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the wirelessdevice of the emergency responder further receives medical data aboutthe patient from the medical data server.
 32. The method of claim 26,wherein, the BAN includes a body area controller (BAC) and one or morebody sensor units (BSUs).
 33. A method of unlocking a body area network(BAN) of a patient to transmit medical data comprising: determining if apre-defined body change of the patient has occurred or the patient isincapable of performing a pre-defined patient action; in response to adetermination that the pre-defined body change of the patient hasoccurred or the patient is incapable of performing the pre-definedpatient action, unlocking the BAN automatically; in response to adetermination that the pre-defined body change of the patient has notoccurred and the patient is not incapable of performing the pre-definedpatient action, unlocking the BAN based upon the pre-defined patientaction performed by the patient, wherein the pre-defined patient actionto unlock the BAN includes pressing against a pre-designated part of thebody; connecting the BAN to a wireless device; and transmitting BANmedical data of the patient by the wireless device.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein, the BAN includes a body area controller (BAC) and oneor more body sensor units (BSUs).
 35. The method of claim 33, whereinthe BAN is connected to a wireless device of the patient and thewireless device of the patient transmits the BAN medical data of thepatient to an emergency service.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein theBAN is connected to a wireless device of a helper and the wirelessdevice of the helper transmits the BAN medical data of the patient to anemergency service.
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein the BAN isconnected to a wireless device of an emergency responder and thewireless device of the emergency responder transmits the BAN medicaldata of the patient to a medical data server.
 38. A body area controller(BAC) comprising: a transceiver; and a processor coupled to thetransceiver, the processor configured to: determine if a pre-definedbody change of the patient has occurred or the patient is incapable ofperforming a pre-defined patient action; in response to a determinationthat the pre-defined body change of the patient has occurred or thepatient is incapable of performing the pre-defined patient action,unlock a body area network (BAN) automatically; in response to adetermination that the pre-defined body change of the patient has notoccurred and the patient is not incapable of performing the pre-definedpatient action, unlock the BAN based upon the pre-defined patient actionperformed by the patient, wherein the pre-defined patient action tounlock the BAN includes pressing against a pre-designated part of thebody; and connect the BAN to a wireless device through the transceiversuch that the wireless device is configured to transmit the BAN medicaldata of the patient.
 39. The BAC of claim 38, wherein, the BAN includesone or more body sensor units (BSUs).
 40. The BAC of claim 38, whereinthe wireless device is associated with the patient and the wirelessdevice of the patient transmits the BAN medical data to an emergencyservice.
 41. The BAC of claim 38, wherein the wireless device isassociated with a helper and the wireless device of the helper transmitsthe BAN medical data of the patient to an emergency service.
 42. The BACof claim 38, wherein the wireless device is associated with an emergencyresponder and the wireless device of the emergency responder transmitsthe BAN medical data of the patient to a medical data server.
 43. A bodyarea controller (BAC) comprising: means for determining if a pre-definedbody change of a patient has occurred or the patient is incapable ofperforming a pre-defined patient action; means for in response to adetermination that the pre-defined body change of the patient hasoccurred or the patient is incapable of performing the pre-definedpatient action, unlocking a body area network (BAN) automatically; meansfor in response to a determination that the pre-defined body change ofthe patient has not occurred and the patient is not incapable ofperforming the pre-defined patient action, unlocking the BAN based uponthe pre-defined patient action performed by the patient, wherein thepre-defined patient action to unlock the BAN includes pressing against apre-designated part of the body; and means for connecting the BAN to awireless device such that the wireless device is configured to transmitthe BAN medical data of the patient.
 44. The BAC of claim 43, whereinthe wireless device is associated with the patient and the wirelessdevice of the patient transmits the BAN medical data to an emergencyservice.
 45. The BAC of claim 43, wherein the wireless device isassociated with a helper and the wireless device of the helper transmitsthe BAN medical data of the patient to an emergency service.
 46. The BACof claim 43, wherein the wireless device is associated with an emergencyresponder and the wireless device of the emergency responder transmitsthe BAN medical data of the patient to a medical data server.
 47. Acomputer program product comprising: a non-transitory computer-readablemedium comprising code for: determining if a pre-defined body change ofa patient has occurred or the patient is incapable of performing apre-defined patient action; in response to a determination that thepre-defined body change of the patient has occurred or the patient isincapable of performing the pre-defined patient action, unlocking a bodyarea network (BAN) automatically; in response to a determination thatthe pre-defined body change of the patient has not occurred and thepatient is not incapable of performing the pre-defined patient action,unlocking the BAN based upon the pre-defined patient action performed bythe patient, wherein the pre-defined patient action to unlock the BANincludes pressing against a pre-designated part of the body; andconnecting the BAN to a wireless device such that the wireless device isconfigured to transmit the BAN medical data of the patient.
 48. Thecomputer program product of claim 47, wherein the wireless device isassociated with the patient and the wireless device of the patienttransmits the BAN medical data to an emergency service.
 49. The computerprogram product of claim 47, wherein the wireless device is associatedwith a helper and the wireless device of the helper transmits the BANmedical data of the patient to an emergency service.
 50. The computerprogram product of claim 47, wherein the wireless device is associatedwith an emergency responder and the wireless device of the emergencyresponder transmits the BAN medical data of the patient to a medicaldata server.